Page 53 of Genesis

I wake with a huge stretch from the best sleep I’ve had in weeks. Last night, when I came in after a long kiss from Danny that almost ended up going farther until he reluctantly forced me out the truck door, I snuck into the kitchen and grabbed a bag of Chips Ahoy! cookies and a big glass of milk. I ate until I threw up, and then passed out in my bed. I’d never been hungrier.

And I’ve never, ever been happier. I brush my hair and teeth, splash my face with cold water, and put on a little makeup before sliding into a pair of jeans and a sweater. Heading down to the kitchen, I see Uncle Hale is already up, drinking his coffee while he watches the morning news.

“Good morning,” I say.

“Morning,” he replies. “There was a drive-by shooting near your old neighborhood.”

I reach for a glass in the cabinet and walk over to the fridge. “Really? Was anyone hurt?” I ask, grabbing the orange juice.

“No. Witnesses say they saw a ’96 Impala with bullet holes and busted windows, though.” He looks back at me with inquiring eyes.

My heart liquefies in my chest, pooling at the bottom of my stomach.

“Isn’t that the same car your boyfriend drives?” he asks.

“Yeah, but how many of those exist?” I say, shrugging it off as I grab a piece of cheese toast he already cooked. “Besides, his is in the shop. Something about the radiator busting.” And that’s the second time I’ve lied to this man.

“Oh,” he says. “Well, that’s good.”

“Yeah.” I smile and take a sip of my juice before walking into the living room. “I gotta head to school,” I say. “See you later.”

“Trinity will be over again for dinner. If you want to join us, that would be nice.”

“Okay,” I say.

“Love ya, kid. Be safe.”

“Ditto,” I reply, putting the toast in my mouth as I grab my keys and books from the table by the door and head out.

I shut my car door a little harder than normal. Danny lied to me. I know that was his car. It’s too fucking coincidental. I start the car, checking the back seat to make sure I have a coat.

This is going to be a long day.

I get through the morning and lunch, and by the end of the day, I’m still thinking about Danny and his lies. I just lost my virginity to this guy, I told him I loved him, and he lied to me so easily. I’m closing my locker when I turn and see Samuel in his basketball shorts and a white T-shirt.

“Hey,” he says. God, he looks cute.

“Hey. Got practice?”

“Yeah, wanna come?” he replies. I bite my lip with narrowed eyes as I think on it. I don’t really want to go home right now. Danny might pop up, and I’m not ready to face him just yet.

“Why not? I’ll do my homework, too.”

“Cool,” he says.

Samuel is into all the sports. Basketball, baseball—you name it, he does it. I picture Danny in a baseball uniform. It’s like John Travolta inGrease. It just doesn’t fit, and it makes me laugh.

“What’s funny?” Samuel asks.

“Nothing,” I say, waving it off. “How have you been? I haven’t seen much of you lately.”

“Busy,” he says. “Between practice and the new job, I don’t have much time for anything else.”

“What job did you get?”

“I started building houses. You know Teller from the baseball team?”

“Yeah.” I nod.

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